October 19, 2021
Sending out this bright and sunny morning’s vibe to all of you dear readers like the Grand Finale of Kinky Boots professes – “Let Love Shine!” Sunday night’s closing performance was a stunner of refulgent light and love radiating from the stage in a synergistic exchange with the crowd I don’t think anyone there will ever forget. This company of actors let loose with a confidence and abandon that galvanized all in attendance to the depths of this story’s soul. Michael Wordly, at the pinnacle of Lola’s self-revelation singing “Hold Me in Your Heart”, literally stopped the show raising the audience to its feet in a standing ovation unlike anything I’ve ever seen at Paramount. It was as if this was the final straw and everyone could no longer stay seated what with the earlier stirring renderings of Devin DeSantis’ impassioned “Soul of a Man” and the hilarious heights of Sara Reinecke rocking out on her “History of Wrong Guys” with both performances eliciting cheers and applause throughout their electrifying vocals. And then the Angels’ theatrics and gymnastics just left it all out there on that stage, oh, the devastation!
There is so much to be said for how the audience for Kinky Boots returned again and again. A credit to our administrative and producing staff and crews, patrons felt safe and taken care of. Combine that with a show that surpassed expectations and made all of us celebrate acceptance and seeing each other together! A uniquely emotional event for so many, it’s the kind of transformative expression for which the arts are all about and meant to be. Renewed, what has been learned in this successful reopening lays the foundation upon which is being built Paramount’s holiday spectacular, Rodger’s & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, next up and currently in rehearsals opening for previews Nov. 10 and running through Jan.9! Here’s a look at the cast and costume design by Theresa Ham for the scintillating, new production directed and choreographed by Brenda Didier with Co-Choreographer Tiffany Krause, Kory Danielson music directing this triple threat company and conducting the thrilling Paramount Orchestra, with the gorgeous and surprise-packed scenic design by Angie Weber Miller. While you’re at it, take a look at the rest of the Broadway Series and subscribe!
Love & thanks,
Jim
he/him
